Lilith: Talon

Posted on April 24, 2015 by The Page Unbound

Scary Talon Lady

Scary Talon Lady leaned back in her chair and crossed her long legs, still continuing to watch me with the unblinking stare of a predator.

“Well, here we are,” she said at last. “And I bet you’re wondering why, aren’t you?” She raised an eyebrow at my continued silence. “Don’t be afraid to talk to me, hatchling. At least, not today. Talon’s senior vice president himself asked me to take over your training, but right now this is just an introduction. Student to teacher.” The faint smile vanished then, and her voice went hard. “Make no mistake about it-after today, things will become much more difficult. You are going to struggle, and you are going to get hurt. It is not going to be easy for you. SO, if you ahve any questions, hatchling, now is the time to ask them.”

My stomach twisted. “What am I being trained for?” I almost whispered.

“Survival.”

-Talon, Julie Kagawa

Book Summary (Goodreads):

Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they’re positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon’s newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember’s bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.

Lilith AKA “Scary Talon Lady”

Lilith is Scary Talon Lady from Talon by Julie Kagawa. She is the lead protagonist’s (Ember’s) trainer. She teachers Ember all of what it means to be a dragon and what it is to be a part of the Talon organization. She also rocks when it comes to fighting and teachers Ember how to fight. She’s very tough on Ember and is constantly pushing Ember to the limits. She is cold, heartless, and to me, seems pretty empty and hollow inside. Her allegiance is with Talon and she will do whatever it takes to keep Talon safe. But I can’t help but wonder, does she have ulterior motives?

What makes Lilith a great villain?

When I first read Talon, I was immediately captured by Scary Talon Lady, as Ember calls her throughout most the book. She’s cold, rough, tough, and one of my favorite villains. Not only is she a dragon and part of Talon’s elite warriors, but she’s also a Viper. Throughout the entire story we aren’t necessarily sure of what a Viper is until towards the end. I think even the Vipers all on their own are pretty bad ass. Their purpose is to hunt down and assassinate the rogue dragons that have separated themselves from Talon. And they want Ember to become a Viper. Lilith is ruthless, with blonde hair. She reminds me of an uptight business woman. But holy cow can she fight! Something I always look for in a villain is how evil and sinister they can be, but at the same time how likable they can be. I like her because of how cold and ruthless she is.

It’s also interesting because Lilith wants Ember to be a part of the Vipers and gives her several chances to prove herself. I think Lilith is fascinated by Ember’s abilities and knows she has alot to offer.

One of the best parts in the book is when Lilith turns into a dragon and has the most epic battle scene I have ever read. Dragons fight dragons off the coast of California. Can it get any cooler than that? Not to mention when one of those dragons is a Viper, and one of the meanest, coldest, evilest villains you will ever encounter.

I think Lilith’s villain character type is THE EVIL GENIUS: “the malevolent mastermind, he/she loves to show off their superior intelligence. Intellectual inferiors are contemptible to him/her and that includes just about everyone. Elaborate puzzles and experiments are their trademark. Don’t let them pull your strings – the game is always rigged in their favor.” But that is definitely up for debate. What villain type do you think she is? Check out more villain types here! Leave your opinions in the comments below!

What do you think of Lilith as a villain?

Rogue is out next Tuesday (the sequel to Talon) and I cannot wait to see Lilith and the Vipers again. I hope she will at least make an appearance, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that she’s in it the majority of the time!

Book Summary (Goodreads):

Ember Hill left the dragon organization Talon to take her chances with rebel dragon Cobalt and his crew of rogues. But Ember can’t forget the sacrifice made for her by the human boy who could have killed her—Garret Xavier Sebastian, a soldier of the dragonslaying Order of St. George, the boy who saved her from a Talon assassin, knowing that by doing so, he’d signed his own death warrant.

Determined to save Garret from execution, Ember must convince Cobalt to help her break into the Order’s headquarters. With assassins after them and Ember’s own brother helping Talon with the hunt, the rogues find an unexpected ally in Garret and a new perspective on the underground battle between Talon and St. George.

A reckoning is brewing and the secrets hidden by both sides are shocking and deadly. Soon Ember must decide: Should she retreat to fight another day…or start an all-out war?

ANYONE ELSE AS EXCITED AS ME?! Tuesday can’t come faster!

Character Studies (16 Villain Archetypes)

Posted on April 23, 2015 by The Page Unbound

Welcome to the Author’s Handbook! These posts are dedicated to helping all aspiring authors out there with archetypes, fictional tips, and questions to help you brainstorm your worlds. I hope you all find these posts helpful and a great source for your writing needs. Enjoy!

What drives your villain? What creates them? Why are they against your hero? Explore these basic descriptions to help you explore the world of Villains.

The TRAITOR: the double agent, betrays those who trust them most. No one suspects the evil that lurks in his/her heart. Despite supportive smiles and sympathetic ears, they plot the destruction of his/her friends or allies. Never turn your back on them — they mean you harm.

The TYRANT: the bullying despot, the tyrant wants power at any price. Wants to ruthlessly conquer all he/she surveys, crushing their enemies beneath their feet. People are but pawns to him/her, and he/she holds all the power pieces. Hesitate before getting in this one’s way – they’ll think nothing of destroying you.

The BASTARD: the dispossessed son or daughter that burns with resentment. He/she can’t have what they want, so they lash out to hurt those around them. Their deeds are often for effect and wants to provoke action in others. He/She proudly announces their rebellious dealings. Don’t be fooled by their youthful demeanor – they’re a bundle of hate.

The DEVIL: the charming fiend that gives people what he/she thinks they deserve. Charisma allows them to lure his/her victims to their own destruction. His/Her ability to discover the moral weaknesses in others serves him/her well. Close your ears to their cajolery – they’ll tempt you to disaster.

The OUTCAST: the lonely outsider that wants desperately to belong. Tortured and unforgiving, they have been set off from others, and usually for a good cause. He/She craves redemption, but is willing to gain it by sacrificing others. Waste no sympathy on them – they’ll have none for you.

The TERRORIST: the dark knight, he/she serves a warped code of honor. Self-righteous, they believe in their own virtue, and judges all around them by a strict set of laws. The end will always justify the nefarious means, and no conventional morality will give them pause. Don’t try to appeal to his/her sense of justice – theirs will not resemble yours.

The EVIL GENIUS: the malevolent mastermind, he/she loves to show off their superior intelligence. Intellectual inferiors are contemptible to him/her and that includes just about everyone. Elaborate puzzles and experiments are their trademark. Don’t let them pull your strings – the game is always rigged in their favor.

The SADIST: the savage predator that enjoys cruelty for its own sake. Violence and psychological brutality are games to this person; and they play those games with daring and skill. Run, don’t walk, away from this sadist – they’ll tear out your heart, and laugh while doing it.

The BITCH: the abusive autocrat, she or he lies, cheats, and steals their way to the top. Her/His climb to success has left many a heel mark on the backs of others. She/He doesn’t care about the peons around her/him – only the achievement of their dreams matter. Forget expecting a helping hand from her/him – they don’t help anyone but themselves.

The LUNATIC: the unbalanced madwoman/madman that draws others into their crazy environment. The drum to which she/he marches misses many a beat, but to them, it is the rest of the world that is out of step. Don’t even try to understand a lunatics logic – it is unfathomable.

The BLACK WIDOW: the beguiling siren, she lures victims into her web. She goes after anyone who has something she wants, and she wants a lot. But she does her best to make the victim want to be deceived. An expert at seduction of every variety, she uses her charms to get her way. Don’t be fooled by her claims of love – it’s all a lie. Don’t be fooled, either, that this only pertains to women.

The BACKSTABBER: the two-faced friend that delights in duping the unsuspecting. Their sympathetic smiles enable them to learn their victims’ secrets, which she/he then uses to feather her/his nest. Their seemingly helpful advice is just the thing to hinder. Put no faith in the backstabber – they’ll betray you every time.

The PARASITE: the poisonous vine that collaborates for their own comfort. She/He goes along with any atrocity, so long as her/his own security is assured. They see themselves as a victim who had no choice, and blames others for their crimes. Expect no mercy from them – she/he won’t lift a finger to save anyone but themselves.

The SCHEMER: the lethal plotter that devises the ruin of others. Like a cat with a mouse, he/she plays with lives. Elaborate plans, intricate schemes; nothing pleases them more than to trap the unwary. Watch out for their complex designs – he/she means you no good.

The FANATIC: the uncompromising extremist that does wrong in the name of good. He/She justifies their actions by their intent, and merely shrugs their shoulders at collateral damage. Anyone not an ally is an enemy, and therefore, fair game. Give up any hope of showing them the error of their ways – they firmly believe you are wrong, wrong, wrong.

The MATRIARCH: the motherly oppressor, she smothers her loved ones. She knows what’s best and will do all in her power to controls the lives of those who surround her – all for their own good. A classic enabler, she sees no fault with her darlings, unless they don’t follow her dictates. Don’t be lured into her family nest – you’ll never get out alive.

A Necklace of Souls Blitz

Posted on April 23, 2015 by The Page Unbound

A Necklace of Souls
by R.L. Stedman
Release Date: 12/19/14
339 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

‘A true dream is when the events I see in my sleep have, or will happen. It’s a talent that runs in my family. I was thirteen when I had my first true dream.’

Will’s Aunt says the Kingdom of the Rose is the most fortunate of lands. But Will hates the place – his uncle and aunt are horrible, and he misses his parents. Oh, how he misses them.

Dana wishes she wasn’t a princess. She’s always being told how to behave, what to wear. There’s a strangeness in the castle – why will no one talk about the Guardian, or the necklace that protects the land? And why does her father look at her with such sorrow? The collier’s cart seems the perfect escape. Only she didn’t realize she’d become so dirty, or so lost. Fortunately this boy, Will, has a sense of direction. And next to the forbidding stranger, N’tombe, he seems reassuringly normal.

Welcome to A Necklace of Souls: a story of love and loss, of shattered lives and desperate hopes. In the Kingdom of the Rose, bravery is not always measured by strength and magic is real, if only one has the courage to dream.

Shortlisted for the Sir Julius Vogel Award, A Necklace of Souls was awarded the Tessa Duder Award for Young Adult Fiction, Best First Book at the New Zealand Post Children and Young Adult Book Awards and is a Storylines Notable Book.

Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Kobo Books

About the Author:

My name is Rachel Stedman. I’m a physiotherapist (physical therapist) by background, but now I work as a freelance contractor. I live in the wild and windy place of Dunedin, New Zealand, with my husband and two kids.

I write mostly for children and young adults. In 2012 I won the Tessa Duder Award for an unpublished YA work and my first novel, A Necklace of Souls, was published by HarperCollins in 2013 (available in the United Kingdom and on Book Depository from June 2015). This year, A Necklace of Souls was awarded Best First Book at the 2014 New Zealand Post Book Awards and won a Notable Book Award from Storylines. Inner Fire is my second novel.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Book Tour Organized by:

Darkness Brutal Cover Reveal

Posted on April 22, 2015 by The Page Unbound

Darkness Brutal

By: Rachel A Marks

(The Dark Cycle #1)
Published by: Skyscape
Publication date: July 1st 2015
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Aidan O’Linn’s childhood ended the night he saw a demon kill his mother and mark his sister, Ava, with Darkness. Since then, every three years the demons have returned to try to claim her. Living in the gritty, forgotten corners of Los Angeles, Aidan has managed to protect his sister, but he knows that even his powers to fight demons and speak dead languages won’t keep her safe for much longer.

In desperation, Aidan seeks out the help of Sid, the enigmatic leader of a rag-tag group of teens who run LA Paranormal, an Internet reality show that fights demons and ghosts. With them, Aidan believes he’s finally found a haven for Ava. But then he meets Kara, a broken girl who can spin a hypnotic web of passionate energy, and she awakens powers inside of him he didn’t know he had―and unleashes a new era of war between the forces of Light and the forces of Darkness.

With the fate of humanity in his hands, can Aidan keep the Darkness held back and accept his terrifying destiny, or will he and his sister fall to the same fate as their mother?

Pre-order Here

AUTHOR BIO:

Rachel A. Marks is a cancer survivor, a writer and artist, a surfer and dirt-bike rider, chocolate lover and keeper of faerie secrets. Her four kids and amazing hubby put up with her nerdiness with tremendous grace, even when she makes them watch Buffy or Smallville re-runs for days on end. She was voted: Most Likely To Survive A Zombie Apocalypse, but hopes she’ll never have to test the theory. Darkness Brutal is her first novel.

Author links:

Chapter Excerpt:

I let the pulse of the music coat me and mute my surroundings. A mass of people crowd the dance floor of the club, and I sit on an abandoned couch in the corner. The lights beat at the air in blues and greens, and bodies twist and merge to the thunder. I lean back, close my eyes, and try to get lost in it, the smells and sounds of people and their collective high.

Something moves next to me. I look over to find a girl sprawled on the seat beside me, trying to catch her breath. She’s not dressed in the usual club gear, more like a girl who got lost on her way to a beach party: Hurley T-shirt, jean skirt, and red Converse. Her cheeks are flushed pink; her throat and forehead glitter with sweat. She glances at me like she didn’t know I was there. She licks her upper lip, her eyes not leaving mine. Then she says something I can’t hear.

I point to my ear and shake my head.

She smiles and laughs, lighting up the space around her. She rests her hand on my arm, like we’re friends and I just told her the most hilarious joke, and then she gets up and disappears into the mass of bodies again.

My arm tingles, my body reacting to the moment of contact in a sudden and disconcerting way. I think I’ve had my fill of watching people indulge their baser instincts. I need to get out of here.

The beat of the music speeds up, vibrating faster as I move through the crowd. I try not to touch anyone, which is nearly impossible. All the emotions and appetites are overwhelming, as if the rising rhythm of the music makes their yearnings rise, too. Lust buzzes in the air. A hunger stirs in me, a gaping hole, needing to be filled. With touch.

The touch of female fingers. A hand on my arm, taking my wrist, pulling me into the fray, into the pressing bodies. And I don’t try to escape. I let her take me.

Because I’m tired.

Because I’m a dumbass.

A girl moves in front of me—not the Hurley girl, not the one I was hoping for. She presses closer, so close I can almost taste the salty perspiration on her skin. She has thin, birdlike shoulders, a swan neck, a heart-shaped face, and black hair, long and tangled, turning blue and green with the light. Her hands slide up my chest. She wraps her arms around my neck and tilts her head to look up at me.

Her lips are full and painted dark purple. There’s a dimple in her left cheek that gets deeper with her growing smile. And her eyes . . .

Fog fills my head for a second, interrupting my thoughts.

“Hi,” she mouths, calling attention to her lips again.

And then she’s rising up on her toes, pulling me down to her, twisting her fingers in my hair, her lips smashing against mine.

My body buzzes from her touch, and my hands react, drawing her into me. I drink her in. She tastes like the air around me, hunger and urgency, and—

Green apple Jolly Ranchers?

I grip her sides, her ribs so delicate beneath my fingers. The sweet tang of her teases me, the hunger becoming a monster deep inside. I have to press her closer, tighter, try to feed it, as I feel the fire of her need link with mine.

She pulls back a little and looks at me with wide eyes, like she’s shocked. That’s when I see the mark, a glowing, blue-inked line of what looks like Chinese symbols, trailing down the nape of her neck to her shoulder blade. Symbols that I’m suddenly sure mean: touch this girl at your own risk.

It’s the only thing I see for a second: Beware. Beware.

Until her energy reaches for me, wispy tendrils of blue light wrapping their way around my wrists and snaking up my chest.

I jerk away, into the guy behind me, stepping on his girlfriend’s toes. I get shoved— thankfully farther from the hypnotic girl—through a space in the crowd, saying a hundred excuse-me’s even though I know no one can hear them. I find my way out of the press of bodies to the edge of the room again where it’s safe.

It’s time to leave. I should’ve left an hour ago.

Pixelated Cover Reveal

Posted on April 22, 2015 by The Page Unbound

Pixelated

by L.S. Murphy

Release Date: 06/30/15

Bloomsbury Spark

Summary from Goodreads:

Senior Year.

Middle of nowhere.

What’s the new girl to do?

For Piper Marks, the answer is simple. She’s determined to have her photography rock the cover of National Geographic someday, and moving to Clarkton, Iowa for her last year of high school is not going to stop her. Even if her usual subjects have changed from bright lights and skyscrapers to fields, cows…and more fields.

But when photographer at the local paper quits in a huff, she steps into his spot. Her new job keeps Piper busy capturing tackles, and zooming in on first downs and end zone dances, not to mention putting her directly in the path of varsity football star Les Williams IV. Her new friends warn her off, but she can’t resist the pull she feels toward this mysterious country boy. But this small town is keeping a secret, and it’s one that could destroy any chance they have to be together.

It’s up to Piper to decide what to do with the distorted truth. Can she risk exposing her heart? It might be worth it, ’cause Les is about to change her world from black and white to fully saturated color.

Praise for Pixelated:
“In Pixelated, L.S. Murphy weaves a complex web of secrets and lies with a ‘will they or won’t they’ romance that kept me turning pages and holding my breath!” ~ Julie Reece, author of The Artisans and Crux

“Beautifully written, with a full spectrum of emotion and complex characters, Pixelated will tug at all your heartstrings. I easily lost myself in the world L.S. Murphy created and couldn’t stop reading because I needed to see how the story ended.” ~ Kelly Oram, author of Cinder & Ella

“L.S. Murphy brings something for every reader with Pixelated: romance, secrets, mystery, and a main character torn between two choices. Murphy’s writing is sharp and steeped in emotions, deftly hooking her readers from the first sentence to the last.” ~ Sarah Bromley, author of A Murder Of Magpies

About the Author:

L.S. Murphy obsesses about St. Louis Cardinals baseball, fangirls over her favorite authors, and watches every episode of Doctor Who like it’s the first time. When she’s not doing those time-consuming things, the former farm-girl turned city slicker turned suburbanite writes sweet romances for teens and adults.

Author Links:

Website│Twitter│Goodreads│Facebook

Cover Reveal Organized by:

The Darkest Minds Teaser

Posted on April 21, 2015 by The Page Unbound

10576365

The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds #1)

by Alexandra Bracken (Goodreads Author)

Book Synopsis(Goodreads):

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

Quote 1:

“The Darkest Minds tend to hide behind the most unlikely faces.”
― Alexandra Bracken, The Darkest Minds

Quote 2:

“Did you know…you make me so happy that sometimes I actually forget to breath? I’ll be looking at you, and my chest will get so tight…and it’s like, the only thought in my head is how much I want to reach over and kiss you.”
― Alexandra Bracken, The Darkest Minds

Quote 3:

“I hugged him without any kind of fear or self-consciousness, fiercely, with a rush of emotion that almost brought tears to my eyes.
“I could kiss you!” Chubs cried.
“Please don’t!” I gasp out, feeling his arms tighten around my ribs to the point of cracking them.”
― Alexandra Bracken, The Darkest Minds

Finding Thor Blitz & Interview

Posted on April 21, 2015 by The Page Unbound

Finding Thor
by Kai Strand
Release Date: 03/12/15
272 pages

Book Summary (Goodreads):

Tragedy has left Cara Cassidy broken and the only thing keeping her from giving in completely is her guilt. Until Nik Rock.

Nik stirs up feelings in degrees she has never experienced, and causes her to do things that most assuredly give him the wrong impression – like kiss him before their first date. Somehow, he breaks down the walls around her emotions until she has no choice but to forgive herself and feel again.

But a mysterious, troubled past follows Nik, and Cara may prove to be his weakest link.

When a royal princess shows up looking for Nik, and an international gang arrives looking for missing jewels, Cara lands in mortal danger. Will she be able to save herself? What will happen to her newly repaired psyche if she loses Nik?

Romance, mystery, and high stakes – just another day in high school.

Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble

Author Interview

-What inspired Finding Thor?

One of my go-to movies when I’m looking for suspense and intrigue is National Treasure. Yet, I really love a good romance, too. One day I decided to see what would happen if I did a mash-up of National Treasure and Wuthering Heights.

-Wuthering Heights is rather tragic. What compelled you to add the sorrow to the story?

As a reader I really enjoy seeing a character overcome tragedy. In Finding Thor, the tragic incident happens six months before the story even begins, but Cara is still wallowing in it. There isn’t a lot in her life that spurs her to deal with it and move on. She doesn’t even realize how much meeting Nik Rock changes her until after many of the changes take place. I think a lot of the lessons we learn and the growth that we experience in real life is like that. It’s so much easier to see your path after you tamped down a trail through the tall grass.

-Why did you choose to set the story in your hometown of Bend, OR?

Once a month, I meet with a group of local authors to talk shop. One day several of them were discussing their books that were either set in or inspired by Central Oregon and I was a little sad that I couldn’t join the conversation. Since I was just starting this new project—my first romantic suspense—I thought it was the perfect time to choose a setting near and dear to my heart.

-How was knowing your setting different than making one up?

Knowing the scents and sounds, the temperature fluctuations, even the traffic patterns so intimately really helped me deepen the sense of place in the storyline. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fiction writer and I really enjoy making stuff up. That includes the setting. However, being able to draw on personal knowledge of unique aspects like lava caves will, hopefully, help the reader feel like they’re here in Central Oregon too.

-What’s next for you?

Super Bad, the third and final installment in my Super Villain Academy series will release in June. I’m so excited for readers to get their conclusion. I hope this final book continues to entertain as well as provides a few surprises. I know it did for me.

About the Author :

Kai Strand writes fiction for kids and teens. Her debut novel, The Weaver, was an EPIC eBook Finalist. King of Bad soared to the publisher’s #1 spot its second month. She is a (very lucky) wife and the mother of four kids. The most common sound in her household is laughter. The second most common is, “Do your dishes!” Kai and her family hike, geocache and canoe in Central Oregon, where they call home.

Kai organized the free, themed, multi-author, short story blog, Lightning Quick Reads. She is available for personal appearances, workshops, and classroom or school visits. Feel free to contact her directly to discuss availability and request references.

Author Links:

photo iconfacebook-32x32_zps64a79d4a.png

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Book Blitz Organized by:

Fields of Elysium Free Today!

Posted on April 20, 2015 by The Page Unbound

Fields of Elysium

by A.B. Whelan

Best seller in Teen & Young Adult Fantasy

4.3 stars on 86 reviews

Price: $0.00 Save $14.35

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Apple iBooks

Award-Winning Author

CAN LOVE MEND A HEART FULL OF HATE?

Small town girl, Molly Bennett, moves to Los Angeles where she becomes an outsider while attending Beverly Hills High School. It seems life cannot be any more dreadful.

Then one day after school, something magical happens. On a secluded hike in the Hollywood Hills, Molly chases her disobedient mutt and only friend into a hidden cavern. She stumbles upon a strange glimmering gateway that transports her to Arkana, a planet that is the cradle of an advanced human race. There, teenagers navigate amazing flying vehicles, compete in perilous games for glory, and possess supernatural powers.

While Molly tries to wrap her mind around this unbelievable discovery, she meets the alluring and mysterious Victor Sorren. He is a Sentinel Apprentice, whose hatred toward people from Earth is beyond understanding. Yet every time Victor unpredictably saves Molly’s life, his heart draws closer to hers, no matter how much he tries to fight against it. It further complicates things that their growing friendship is strictly forbidden. Earth people are prohibited in Arkana, yet Molly continues to cross through the portal to Arkana to see Victor.

Torn between their double lives, they go down a dangerous path, from where there is no return and multiple endings.

Would you fight to be with the one you truly love? What cost would you be willing to sacrifice for that love?

Fields of Elysium Dream Cast

Fields of Elysium Book Trailer

Fields of Elysium Playlist on YouTube

Click here

Special Offer

After reading this story you will find your heart racing whenever you enter a cave.

Vampire’s Bane Book Blitz

Posted on April 18, 2015 by The Page Unbound

Vampire’s Bane by Suzannah Daniels
(Vampire’s Bane, #1)
Publication date: April 14th 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult

Book Summary (Goodreads):

A lethal sword.

A dangerous mission.

A seventeen-year-old girl finding her way in a world that is nothing like she remembered.

When Maylin Kavanagh’s parents surrendered her to The Program, they swore it was for her protection. After being confined in a small underground cell for nearly two years, she is finally released.

But the world has changed.

Most of the populace has been wiped out by a deadly disease, and the rules of society have regressed. But that’s not the worst of it. When her group is kidnapped by a band of rogue vampires, Maylin realizes the decline of the human population has brought other races to the forefront—races she never knew existed. And now they’re all battling for survival and power.

In his father’s absence, Thane Warwick must lead his people. He has two priorities: find his father and find humans who can supply blood to his tribe. Immediately intrigued by his latest captive, he becomes interested in Maylin for more than just her blood, but he soon discovers that he must make a choice between his father and her.

Despite their attraction, Maylin and Thane each have an agenda, and only one can be the victor.

VAMPIRE’S BANE is the first book in the VAMPIRE’S BANE series. While it does end at a natural turning point in the heroine’s journey, it is an ongoing story, and not all questions will be answered. You will need to read this series in order.

Book Excerpt:

I fired the gun.

Time slowed as the bullet spiraled toward his shoulder.

Another shot rang out, though I had no idea who had fired it.

My bullet pierced my target in the shoulder. It pushed him back, but it didn’t knock him off his feet. He released the girl, and her body crumpled to the ground. The second figure immediately crouched over her.

I fired at the man still on his feet, hitting him in the chest. His head snapped up, and he glared directly at me.

Shock assaulted my system. I sucked in air, my mind desperately searching for some logic to apply to the scene before me. His eyes glowed an eerie red, a luminous warning to stay back. Blood dribbled down his chin. I fired a third time, but his swift movements caused my bullet to miss its mark.

Before I could process what was happening, he was on me, his hands holding my head like a vice. He bit into my neck, and I swung my arms backward, hitting him with the butt of my gun.

“Enough!” a deep voice commanded.

My captor raised his head, but his hands kept me firmly in their grasp. Someone was crying, but I couldn’t turn my head to find the source.

A man stood in the shadows, and the two strangers who had attacked us stood quietly, reluctant to release their captives.

“I said ‘enough.’” The man strolled calmly toward us. As he reached the soft glow of the fire, I realized that he was tall, his body lean and muscular. He didn’t look nearly as old as I had first guessed. His height and authoritative voice disguised his youthfulness, and I detected just a hint of a European accent, probably British softened by years of being in America.

“Thane, surely you realize we’re hungry and there are so few of them left,” my captor implored in a soft Irish lilt.

“So you’ll solve our problem by killing them?”

“I won’t, but….”

Even though he still gripped my head, I took advantage of their distraction and snaked my gun across my waist and between my side and left arm. I squeezed the trigger, sinking a bullet into my captor’s stomach.

He grunted and hissed air out between his teeth, but his grip never lessened. How was it possible that gunshots seemed to have little effect on him?

In seconds, the one they had called Thane gripped my wrist, the sudden movement knocking the gun from my hand. He shoved my captor away from me and contained me with one arm wrapped around my body like an impenetrable band of iron.

Thane chuckled softly over my head. “Let’s not underestimate this one.”

About the Author:

Suzannah Daniels has had an affinity for words for as long as she can remember. She grew up in North Georgia with four brothers, so she learned at an early age to admire snakes and motorcycles. When she wasn’t pestering her brothers, she could usually be found reading or writing.

She is the author of Viking’s Embrace, a historical romance, and Ghostly Encounter, Book One of her Ghostly series (young adult paranormal romance).

Currently, she lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee with her husband of twenty-six years and her teenage daughter. Her son lives nearby. The family pets include a Lab mix, a Basset Hound, a Shih Tzu, and a sweet, little kitty.

Author Links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized By:

//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Awakening Review

Posted on April 16, 2015 by The Page Unbound

Awakening
by Shannon Duffy
Release Date: 04/07/15
Entangled Teen
3.5/5 Rating

Book Summary (Goodreads):

A thrilling, futuristic sci-fi novel set in a unique and thought-provoking world, from author Shannon Duffy.

Desiree Six (because she was born on a Friday) believes in everything the Protectorate stands for. She likes the safety and security of having her entire life planned out—her career, her mate, even the date of her death. She doesn’t even think to question when Darian, her childhood friend and neighbor, is convicted of murdering his parents. They had seemed like such a loving family. But if he was convicted, then he must have done it.

Then Darian shows up in her room late one night. He has escaped from the Terrorscape—a nightmare machine used to punish all Noncompliants—and needs Desiree’s help. What he tells her rocks her world to its core and makes her doubt everything she’s ever been told. With this new information, will Desiree and Darian be able to escape the Protectorate before it’s too late?

My Review:

I really enjoyed Awakening by Shannon Duffy. Right from the start this book caught my interest. It’s a very original story line filled with mystery, suspense, and very likable characters. The story takes place in a dark, Dystopian society. and is about a girl named Desiree that lives in a world where people die based off the day of the week they were born. At night they are hooked up to a machine that is called the Dreamscape and is the only way they can sleep at night. One night Darian, her childhood friend, shows up in her room. Darian is a wanted murderer that escaped the Terrorscape. Desiree decides to help him, not entirely believing that he really did kill his parents. Their paths continue to cross as Desiree uncovers more and more about the Protectorate and all it truly means. But as Desiree discovers more and more, she finds out how much the Protectorate has actually stolen from her.

I think Awakening is a great novel from an upcoming author and I think Shannon Duffy has a bright future ahead of her as she continues to grow and excel as an author. The story itself is VERY original and creative. And I think Shannon Duffy is a great story teller. I especially enjoyed Desiree’s character development. I think the characters in Awakening are very well defined and this, along with a very original story, are strengths of Shannon Duffy’s. I’d be very interested to read more books by her.

One of my favorite moment’s in this book is when Darian appears in Desiree’s room asking her for help. You can tell from their encounter right from the beginning that there’s something between them. And Desiree decides to help him anyway, even though he’s a convicted murderer. She listens to her heart instead of what others are telling her, and in that moment when she first meets him, I love her character. I also love Darian too, but he’s pretty charming in the book and it’s hard not to love him. And their love story is super cute. I loved it because there’s no love triangle, and their love isn’t complex. Sure there’s alot of complexity going on around them, but their story itself is sweet and perfect. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a book where the love just happens naturally, but in this book it does and it’s wonderful to read a YA book like that.

One character I was surprised to enjoy was Archer. And I won’t say why because I don’t want to spoil anything. But Archer is a very complex, and intriguing character and his story plays out not as I expected, but as a welcoming surprise.

I love the concept of the Terrorscape. I love how little we know about the Terrorscape until towards the end of the book, which REALLY builds the suspense. Throughout the entire story we are told it’s more than it appears. And when it finally happens and we get to see what the Terrorscape is all about, its so fascinating and dark, it truly doesn’t disappoint! It’s pretty epic!

I can’t wait to read the sequel!

What I didn’t like:

Now, this is a small thing. But in the book there is some mentioning of women getting pregnant, having babies, and no one noticing. And every now and then I couldn’t help but think “how does no one notice these pregnant women?” These women work. People see them on a regular basis. Chances are some are going to have to have time off, maybe there’s complications, maybe someone has their baby early. Anywhere from a few days to a month at least will have to be taken off. How does no one notice these pregnant women? And these kids will live for years before anyone notices. It doesn’t make sense to me. If there had been some sort of explanation, lets say that every year employees get some sort of medical leave for being sick, or whatever, then I wouldn’t have mind. But in my head I just couldn’t understand how no one was noticing pregnant women. Again it’s a small thing, and it probably just didn’t catch anyone’s attention since the book itself is very suspenseful.

What I liked:

I loved the story, the concept of the Dreamscape and Terrorscape, and the very well developed characters. It’s definitely a book worth reading!

Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Kobo Books

About the Author:

Author of MG and YA books full of adventure. I grew up on the east coast of Canada in the province of Newfoundland and now live in Ontario. I love writing, reading, fashion, fitness, and traveling.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour Organized by:

//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js